WonderCon is here again.

I gave blood, saw cool creatives and their gear again.

BTW, the next Heinlein Blood drive will be at San Diego Comic Con in July, and you don’t need a badge! I already reserved a spot for Thursday July 23^rd at 10am. See you there?

I attended the Women in Comics panel led by the always incredible Amy Chu last Friday. Things haven’t changed much in the Comic Book industry (i.e. where there are jobs with insurance benefits) since I first started tracking this back in the mid-80’s. Equity in hiring, visibility, opportunities? Not even close. Especially disappointing is that ComicCon International, a 501c3 non-profit headquartered in San Diego has not taken a major leadership role on increasing the visibility of women creatives to a level equal to what it gives men, as determined by featured artists (actually, this year at WonderCon, CCI did, for the first time EVER, achieve featured artist parity), and the number of all-male panels accepted. I propose that we all contact the CCI leadership and ask for what we want. Might help, and sure can’t hurt. https://www.comic-con.org/contact

 

COMING SOON

Thursday, Apr 2 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am

8^th annual California Arts and Culture Creativity month kicks off.

Hosting by San Diego ART Matters

Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center San Diego, CA 

1960 National Avenue

San Diego, CA 92113

Following the kick off program, guests will have the opportunity to preview an upcoming exhibition at the museum highlighting the future of binational women and non-binary artists through powerful artistic expression.

 

May 2, 2026 4-6 pm Opening reception

                                                    

Sustainable Art Creations opens at the Fallbrook Art Center. The reception promises to be amazing, and it’s FREE.

Curated by yours truly, Sustainable Creations gives us many, many ways to support our environment artistically and then some.

The exhibit runs from May 2-June 13, 2026

I will have a solo exhibition of my hinged books of upcycled and recycled materials at the same address, open on the same dates and hours. Yee-ha!

May 09, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Come to the FAC Runway show

                    

                                  Outfit by Marty Ornish                

Green Go Runway Show, a fundraiser to support programs at the non-profit Fallbrook Art Center, 103 S Main Ave, Fallbrook, CA 92028, USA

For Mother's Day weekend, treat your loved ones to the Fallbrook Art Center’s first fashion show! Celebrate the world of sustainable fashion via a (sort of) traditional runway show format for a greener Mother Earth. 

Doors open at 1pm; show begins at 2p. 

June 4-July 30,2026    Opening reception June 12, 3-4:30 p.m

The World is Run by Those Who Show up

April 17, 3-4:30 p.m

In Community art and culture conversation scheduled in County District 2.  Join San Diego ART Matters and the San Diego County Arts & Culture Commission This is part of the In Community series — a countywide initiative designed to bring together artists, cultural organizations, and creative partners through welcoming gatherings filled with conversation, collaboration, and inspiration. This event continues the series’ commitment to engaging communities across the region, including those in District 2 represented by Supervisor Joel Anderson.

I, in my role as D2 County Arts and Culture Commissioner, have had the honor of helping organize this one. You KNOW it will be worth your time. 

Ramona Branch of the San Diego County Library

1275 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065.

Please RSVP at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-community-sd-county-district-2-gathering-tickets-1985540716733?aff=oddtdtcreator 

May 20, 2026 11-1p.m. Arts & Culture Commission Meeting

San Diego County Administration Building

1600 Pacific Hwy, Room San Diego, CA 92101—entrance to FREE parking under the building is from Ash Street

Or join by Zoom Phone: +1 669 444 9171 
Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

So long until next Sunday

 

Spring Equinox has happened, though it still feels like Summer in Southern California. I get browner these days just walking out to my car. That’s true every year, but not in March. Me and my First World problems. Right?

When events in the news gob-slap me, my artwork is profoundly affected. Reports of the rape of Dolores Huerta by Cesar Chavez, the Iran war, revelations about the January 2024 fires in L.A. likely inform what local artists create exactly as happened during previous wars, previous fires, 9/11. Art rebuilds and sustains the health of our lives whether we produce it, or experience it. That’s my 2 cents and I’m sticking to it.

WHAT’S TO EXPERIENCE, COMING SOON

May 2, 2026 Sustainable Art Creations opens at the Fallbrook Art Center. The reception promises to be amazing, and it’s FREE.

Curated by yours truly, Sustainable Creations gives us many, many ways to support our environment artistically and then some.

I will have a solo exhibition of my mixed media hinged books at the same address, open on the same dates and hours. I know I will be doing a couple of docent tours for the FAC, details to come. I promise.

May 09, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Fallbrook Art Center, 103 S Main Ave, Fallbrook, CA 92028, USA

Green Go Fashion Show

  

                       Spring Boho

Aloha Peace

For Mother's Day weekend, treat your loved ones to the Fallbrook Art Center’s first fashion show! Celebrate the world of sustainable fashion via a (sort of) traditional runway show format for a greener Mother Earth. Doors open at 1pm; show begins at 2p. Reservations are a must:

https://www.fallbrookartcenter.org/event-details/green-go-fashion-show

June 5-July 30 Reception June 12 3-4:30 pm

The World is Run by Those Who Show Up, Speak Up, Sign Up to be Counted

April 17, 3-4:30 p.m

In Community art and culture conversation scheduled in County District 2. Join San Diego ART Matters https://sdartmatters.org/ and the San Diego County Arts & Culture Commission https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cao/edga/arts-culture-commission.html for the District 2 stop of the In Community series — a countywide initiative designed to bring together artists, cultural organizations, and creative partners through welcoming gatherings filled with conversation, collaboration, and inspiration. This event continues the series’ commitment to engaging communities across the region, including those in District 2 represented by Supervisor Joel Anderson.

Ramona Branch of the San Diego County Library

1275 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065.

Please RSVP at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-community-sd-county-district-2-gathering-tickets-1985540716733?aff=oddtdtcreator

May 20, 2026 11-1p.m. Arts & Culture Commission Meeting

San Diego County Administration Building

1600 Pacific Hwy, Room San Diego, CA 92101—entrance to FREE parking under the building is from Ash Street

Or join by Zoom Phone: +1 669 444 9171 
Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

O.k. I hope to see you in person soon.

Take care

         

 

How about this San Diego heat wave? In the space of 3 days, we went from needing to turn on the heater around here, to using the A/C. In that sweet early-morning temperature spot before the sizzling begins, I take advantage and make acrylic art paper. Each color dries so fast that I can put down 2-3 layers and be ready to use the paper for books that same afternoon. Try this at home, just be sure to wear sunblock.

 

Art paper to artist's book

This robot-themed altered book will be on display at the Rancho San Diego County Library starting June 5th.

Arts and Culture lane change alert: Oscar awards go out tonight. My own favorite feature-length movie from 2025 was A House of Dynamite. Didn’t get a single nod from the Academy. Whatever.

March 27-29, 2026

WonderCon!!!! ZAP  BAM  WOW is at the Anaheim Convention Center. Produced by the same non-profit that gives us ComicCon, the weekend is a gathering for lovers of all things pop-culture. Badges are still available: https://www.comic-con.org/wc/badges

Of course I'm going, SWAG in hand. I'll be donating blood, too. 

May 2, 2026 Sustainable Art Creations opens at the Fallbrook Art Center

Curated by yours truly, the artists in Sustainable Creations give us many, many ways to support our environment artistically and then some.

The entire exhibition runs from May 2-June 13^th.

https://www.fallbrookartcenter.org/sustainablecreations

May 2-June 13^th 

^{I'm having a solo exhibition  at the very same Fallbrook Art Center of my hinged books (and maybe a tower or two)}

During Sustainable Creations (and my above-mentioned solo show), join me at the May 9 fundraiser for the Fallbrook Art Center

May 09, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM  Green Go Fashion Show 

103 S Main Ave, Fallbrook, CA 92028, US

10 designers, amazing couture. Doors open at 1pm; show begins at 2p. Tickets are on sale at

https://www.fallbrookartcenter.org/event-details/green-go-fashion-show

 

Photo: Tiffany Wolfe, designer

The world is run by those who show up. Please do! Show up, I mean.

March 18, 2026 11-1p.m. San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission meeting

County Administration Building 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 402A, San Diego, CA 92101

Free parking under the building, entrance to parking is on Ash

Meet Christine E. Jones, the Commission’s new Manager of Art, Film and Creative Industries

You can also attend virtually   Phone: +1 669 444 9171   Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

 April 17, 3-4:30 p.m

In Community art and culture conversation scheduled in County District 2 will be held in the Community Center of the Ramona County Library. FREE

1275 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065. 

Little- known factoid---Did you know that Ramona is in the center of San Diego County? Yep. So I've been told.

O.k. for now. Stay in the shade. Until next Sunday

 

When you’re absorbing reports on current events, do you ever find yourself shaking your head and saying “You can’t make this shit up”? Today we start Daylight Savings. Yes, there’s a connection between sentence one and sentence two, gimme a minute.

The SD Union Tribune, one of my daily sources for current events, was late with this morning’s posting. Quite late. Could it be that staff lost the Daylight Savings memo? OR could it be resistance to the cultural time-construct that switching clocks backward and forward signifies? I’m always down with resistance. Go SDUT!

Much is coming up in the weeks/months ahead and I’ll be attending. Please join me if you’re able.

March 13, 2026 11-30-1:30p.m.

I’m teaching the Hardcover Concertina Book with pockets and embellishments. FREE. Pre-Registration is a must. These workshops fill. Plus, though all materials will be supplied, this isn’t a “just drop in” kind of gig. We start at 1130 and proceed gayly from there. To register, go to Front Porch Gallery

https://www.frontporchgallery.org/programs#artist-led

March 27-29, 2026

WonderCon is at the Anaheim Convention Center. Produced by the same non-profit that gives us ComicCon, the weekend is a gathering for lovers of all things pop-culture. Badges are still available: https://www.comic-con.org/wc/badges

Not only will I be there, but I’ll be bringing my own free SWAG to give away. How cool is that?

May 2, 2026 3 p.m. Sustainable Art Creations opens at the Fallbrook Art Center

Curated by yours truly, Sustainable Creations gives us many, many ways to support our environment artistically and then some.

The entire exhibition runs from May 2-June 13^th.

https://www.fallbrookartcenter.org/sustainablecreations

Once again, let’s remember that the world is run by those who show up. Please do! Show up, I mean.

March 18, 2026 11-1p.m. San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission meeting

County Administration Building 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 402A, San Diego, CA 92101

Free parking under the building, entrance to parking is on Ash

Meet Christine E. Jones, the Commission’s new Manager of Art, Film and Creative Industries

You can also attend virtually   Phone: +1 669 444 9171   Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

All Spring, throughout San Diego County, open to the public and free to attend:

In Community in every County district.

Events are sponsored by San Diego Art Matters and organized by The San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission—when I know the exact “where and when” we should show up, I’ll keep you in the know.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cao/edga/arts-culture-commission.html

 March 20, 10-11:30 a.m.

In Community art and culture conversation scheduled in County District 3 will be held at the Institute of Contemporary Art, North County campus

1550 S El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024

 April 17, 3-4:30 p.m

In Community art and culture conversation scheduled in County District 2 will be held in the Community Center of the Ramona County Library

1275 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065.

May and June, 2026 are till TBD

That’s it for now. Until next Sunday.

 

  

Oh, my gosh! Yesterday’s Del Dios Chili Cook off was FUN in caps! And we all came away so stuffed full of delish eats. I am here with my friend Nancy, picture taken by her husband Dan. I was reminded last night that people together can create. Anything. Space, community, love, art, learning. The list spreads out and on. The Del Dios Community Center (AKA The Ol’ Firehouse) receives no government funding. None. Yet it grows and improves because of the people who live here. And you don’t have to live here to enjoy it. Del Dians share.

Along the subject of sharing, my friend Claire’s daughter Asayo has dropped a new recording. Have a listen. Enjoy.

Ghost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IVnDBc68_Y

You can now register for the FREE workshops I’m teaching this month at Front Porch Gallery. Pre-register with FPG at:

https://www.frontporchgallery.org/programs#artist-led

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Stab and Stitch Book Binding, part 1, during which we make a journal/book

11:30 AM 1:30 PM

AND/OR

Friday, March 6th
11:30AM - 1:30PM

Stab and Stitch Book Binding, part 2, during which we make and add a hard-cover to the journal/book.

Here’s an example of a hard-cover stab-stitched book to give you the idea.

 

Friday, March 13th
11:30AM - 1:30PM

Hardcover Concertina Book with pockets and embellishments. FREE

Register through Front Porch Gallery via the link above

Last but not least for today, The World Really is Run by Those Who Show Up

 March 18, 2026 11-1p.m. San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission meeting

Meet Christine E. Jones, the Commission’s new Manager of Art, Film and Creative Industries Location: 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 402A, San Diego, CA 9210

Phone: +1 669 444 9171 
Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

 

 

 

 

 

Art block is a thing

I’ve been experiencing the visual artist equivalent of writer’s block for a couple months now. Bleh. I still went into my studio every day since this is not my first she-bang, and I know that keeping to my schedule is super important. Yesterday I took a new (for me) art technique workshop through the Alliance Française of San Diego. The wonderful Sophie, along with the 6 other artists who attended, gave me a much-needed kick start. Extra bonus: it was all in French! I love that. Keeps my own French up to speed and I’m with other creatives. BTW, you do not have to speak French to take their art workshops. The instructors are completely bilingual and can teach in both French and English without missing a beat.

What’s in the works over the next few weeks

Saturday, February 28^th, 5:00-10 p.m.

The Del Dios Chili Cook-Off! I’m competing with my famous duck chili—yum!

You be the judge: whose chili is the best?

Doors open at 5p.m. Tasting begins at 5:30, awards at 6:30pm, followed by all-you-can eat chili until they run out.

Del Dios Community Center (aka “The Ol’ Firehouse”) 20155 Elm Ln, Escondido, CA 92029

March 5 and 6, 12-2pm at Front Porch Gallery in Carlsbad

I’ll be teaching a 2-part book arts workshop. Free, supplies provided, free parking nearby. The only hiccup is that registration of the virtual persuasion is still not available yet on FPG’s website. But I’ll keep you posted.

March 10, 12-1pm Alliance Française presents a talk on the amazing artist Niki de St. Phalle  Go to https://www.afsandiego.org for more on that.

 

The World is Run by Those Who Show Up

^{February 26, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM the first In Community event from the San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission takes place at the Live Well Center. RSVP here.}

March 18, 2026 11-1p.m. San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission meeting

Meet Christine E. Jones, the Commission’s new Manager of Art, Film and Creative Industries Location: 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 402A, San Diego, CA 9210

Phone: +1 669 444 9171 
Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

First draft of the needle felted cover that will be part of the Inspired By III Exhibition opening June 4th, 2026 at the Rancho San Diego County Library 

In a totally different materials direction, Talk SPAM will be in the Fallbrook Art Center's Sustainable Art exhibition, opening May 2nd.

 

 

When bad things happen to good art

Sometimes my brain clicks from one thought-stream to another seemingly without connections. Connections abound, of course. Cool how the subconscious works, isn’t it? I was watching men’s figure skating last week when I remembered how years ago, a mixed-media artist’s book that I’d just sold, was run over by the collector in her Beemer. Gallery-owner gasped. Collector cried. I was laughing (I can be that way). The art damage was far beyond a simple repair. Yikes. I thought doing a collab-remake with Collector’s car might be fun. It was. 

Back to men’s figure-skating. I saw a really sad, jaw-dropping thing happen to really good art on the Olympic ice. The crowd gasped, The 21 year old skater cried.  I did not laugh. 

I can be that way, sure, but no way am I that bad.

 

All February is museum month: More than 70 museums are 50% off*. You need the FREE 50% off pass which you can download at https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/museum-month

February 21, 1100-1p.m. Community Art Workshop

Location: The San Diego Museum of Art

No reservation is required. All materials are provided. Free with Museum admission. *which is half off this month.

Saturday, February 28^th, 5:00-10 p.m.

The Del Dios Chili Cook-Off! I’m competing with my famous duck chili—yum!

You be the judge: whose chili is the best?

Doors open at 5p.m. Tasting begins at 5:30, awards at 6:30pm, followed by all-you-can eat chili until they run out.

Del Dios Community Center (aka “The Ol’ Firehouse”) 20155 Elm Ln, Escondido, CA 92029

 

The World is Run by Those Who Show Up

^{February 26, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM the first In Community event from the San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission takes place at the Live Well Center. RSVP here.}

March 18, 2026 11-1p.m. San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission meeting

Meet Christine E. Jones, the Commission’s new Manager of Art, Film and Creative Industries 

Location: 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 402A, San Diego, CA 9210

Phone: +1 669 444 9171 
Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

Sometimes when I need to jump-start my better creativity, I mass-produce Ephemera from recycled ephemera. I have so many of these pins. They'll probably go up to WonderCon with me next month, where some lucky attendees will be asked if they'd like one. 

Plate of Pins

I will for sure wear this one at WonderCon

I'm working on an artist's book inspired by a story that happens in Greenland. These pins are side-wanderings while I work out the structure of the Big Piece

Every day, in every way, resist

 

The Winter Olympics are upon us, and unless you’ve been off all manner of social communication, you already know this. To avoid talking heads, commercials and inconvenient broadcast times, I watch my favorite events on YouTube. Little-known factoid about me: I LOVE Ice Hockey. I really enjoyed the new documentary on Netflix about the 1980 Miracle team.

Speaking of documentaries on Netflix, All the Empty Rooms should be required viewing by every member of Congress, IMO.

Looking forward to these events:

February 14, 10-1800, 2026   Afrofuturism for Valentines’ Day? Doesn’t get much better. At the Worldbeat Cultural Center https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/events/

February 26, 2026 5-6:30p.m. join creatives and civic leaders in County District 4 at the Southwestern Live Well Center, 5101 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92114

While it is free, you would help the Arts and Culture Commission know how many folks to expect by reserving a spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-community-sd-county-district-4-gathering-tickets-1982539343545?aff=erelexpmlt

Saturday, February 28^th, 5:00-10:00 p.m.

The Del Dios Chili Cook-Off! I’m competing with my famous duck chili—yum! You be the judge: whose chili is the best?

Tasting begins at 5:30, awards at 6:30pm, followed by all-you-can eat chili until they run out.

Del Dios Community Center (aka “The Ol’ Firehouse”) 20155 Elm Ln, Escondido, CA 92029

The World is Run by Those Who Show Up

March 18, 2026 11-1p.m. San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission meeting

Meeting location: 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 402A, San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: +1 669 444 9171 
Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these 2 Artist's Books will be selected for the PSBA Members' exhibition to open in Washington State this summer. 

Until next Sunday

XOXOX

 

 

 A new month and a lot to share.

This past week, San Diego County hired a new Creative Manager to support the County Arts and Culture Commission. She is Christine Jones, formally the Chief of Civic Art Strategies for the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, i.e. super well-qualified and ready to hit the ground running at the countywide level. She starts on February 2^nd.

In keeping with my experience that The World is Run by Those Who Show Up, please consider calling in or attending in person

San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission meetings for 2026

• February 4, 2026  - Room 302
• March 18, 2026
• May 20, 2026
• July 15, 2026
• September 16, 2026
• November 18, 2026

Meeting location: 1600 Pacific Hwy, Room 402A, San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: +1 669 444 9171 
Webinar ID: 833 2424 4450 

Feb. 28th with the San Diego Emerging Museum Professionals

Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums with Michael Rocha of the San Diego Union Tribune. For more info and to register, go tohttps://sandiegoemp.org/event/media-matters-engaging-strategies-for-museums/

Today begins Black History month. Check out all that’s happening at Worldbeat Cultural Center https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/events/, including but certainly not limited to

February 14, 10-1800, 2026   Black Comix Day  

WOWZA!!!  BANG!!! BOOM!!!

February 22^nd, 2026  And then, there's this in Oceanside

https://sandiegoblackfestival.com/

February 1-27 at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center

The Ric Todd Collection, including Keith Haring, Steve R. Allen, Jaimee Todd, and Ric Todd

https://bonitahistoricalsociety.org/ric-todd-collection-at-the-museum/

Saturday, February 28^th, 5:00-10 p.m.

The Del Dios Chili Cook-Off! I’m competing with my famous duck chili—yum! You be the judge. whose chili is the best?

Tasting begins at 5:30, awards at 6:30pm, followed by all-you-can eat chili until they run out.

Where? Del Dios Community Center (aka “The Ol’ Firehouse”)

20155 Elm Ln, Escondido, CA 92029

This Spring Runway events. Images now, info to come.

 

Nature’s most incredible palate was in the desert this past week.

I took Rocket-the-Dog and we went camping in Big Red—not Rocket’s first road trip, but the first for Big Red in her new life as a camping van. They both did great.

Big Red in Borrego Springs. We had perfect weather.

Rocket living the good life, and keeping my feet warm. Good boy! Good, good boy!

The World is run by those who show up. Plenty of showing up will soon be ours.

The Alliance Française of San Diego has art and cooking classes! Learn a little French, make a little art. Get down all right. Get down all right. 

I’ve enrolled in the candle-making workshop. Hot diggity!

https://www.afsandiego.org/events-1/candle-workshop 

I love print-making. I’ll go to an exhibit about making, viewing, collecting prints any chance I can. I will certainly be checking this out next month:

Oceanside Museum of Art

Matrix multiplied: hybrid approaches to printmaking

February 21–August 2, 2026

Curated By Danielle Deery

https://oma-online.org/exhibitions-oma

Paste paper print by yours truly

Have a great week. Until next Sunday